Voltage level shifter

ABSTRACT

A circuit includes a first capacitive device and a first latch. The first capacitive device includes a first end configured to receive a first input signal and a second end coupled with the first latch. The first latch includes a first transistor and a second transistor that are of a first type. A first terminal of the first transistor and a first terminal of the second transistor are each configured to receive a first voltage value. A second terminal of the first transistor is coupled with a third terminal of the second transistor. A third terminal of the first transistor is coupled with a second terminal of the second transistor and with the second end of the capacitive device, and is configured to provide an output voltage for the first latch.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the priority of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/747,728, filed Dec. 31, 2012, the disclosure of whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure is related to a voltage level shifter.

BACKGROUND

Existing voltage level shifters have various shortcomings. For example,in one approach, the level shifter shifts a voltage level of a highlogical value of a signal, but does not shift a voltage level of a lowlogical value. In some situations, transistors in the level shiftersuffer from an electrical over stress (EOS) and cause a time dependentdielectric breakdown (TDDB). To improve the situations, a bias circuitis added to provide a constant bias to the level shifter. The additionalbias circuit is not favored, however. Further, EOS and TDDB issuesremain in the level shifter in a different form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forthin the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other featuresand advantages will be apparent from the description, drawings, andclaims.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a voltage level shifter, in accordance with someembodiments.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams of circuits that use the voltage levelshifter in FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, or examples, illustrated in the drawings are disclosedbelow using specific language. It will nevertheless be understood thatthe embodiments and examples are not intended to be limiting. Anyalterations and modifications in the disclosed embodiments, and anyfurther applications of the principles disclosed in this document arecontemplated as would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in thepertinent art.

Some embodiments have one or a combination of the following featuresand/or advantages. In some embodiments, a voltage level shifter usescore transistors and generates voltages for use by both core transistorsand input-output (IO) transistors. The voltage level shifter does notgenerate static currents.

For illustration, a circuit that performs a particular function iscalled a principle circuit. In some embodiments, the principle circuitincludes a core portion and an IO portion. The core portion uses coretransistors while the IO portion uses IO transistors. IO transistors inthe IO portion are used as an interface between circuits in the coreportion and circuits outside of the principle circuit. In someembodiments, a gate oxide of an IO transistor is thicker than a gateoxide of a core transistor.

In some embodiments, in a VDD domain, signals switch between a referencesupply voltage VSS and a supply voltage VDD. Further, in someembodiments, reference supply voltage VSS is 0 V or ground. In contrast,in a VDDH domain, signals switch between voltage VDD and a high voltageVDDH higher than voltage VDD or between ground and high voltage VDDH. Insome embodiments, voltage VDD is for use by core transistors, and isabout 0.8 V, while voltage VDDH is for used by IO transistors, and isabout 1.6 V. Other values of supply voltages VDD and/or VDDH are withinthe scope of various embodiments.

For simplicity, a source terminal, a gate terminal, and a drain terminalof a transistor are called a source, a gate, and a drain, respectively.

Voltage Level Shifter

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a level shifter 100, in accordance with someembodiments. For illustration, voltages VSDP20, VSDP30, VSDP40, andVSDP50 are each a voltage drop across a source and a drain of PMOStransistors P20, P30, P40, and P50, respectively. Further, voltagesVGSP20, VGSP30, VGSP40, and VGSP50 are each a voltage drop across a gateand the source of PMOS transistors P20, P30, P40, and P50, respectively.Similarly, voltages VDSN20, VDSN30, VDSN40, and VDSN50 are each avoltage drop across a drain and a source of NMOS transistors N20, N30,N40, and N50, respectively. Further, voltages VGSN20, VGSN30, VGSN40,and VSGN50 are each a voltage drop across a gate and the source of NMOStransistors N20, N30, N40, and N50, respectively.

Level shifter 100 receives an input voltage VIN in the VDD domain, andgenerates output voltages VO1, VO2, and VO3 in the VDD, VDDH, and VDDHdomains, respectively. For example, voltage VIN switches between 0 V orground and supply voltage VDD. Voltage VO1 switches between 0 V andsupply voltage VDD. Output voltage VO2 switches between 0 V and supplyvoltage VDDH, and output voltage VO3 switches between supply voltage VDDand supply voltage VDDH. For illustrations, voltages VO1, VO2, and VO3are on nodes NO1, NO2, and NO3, respectively. Nodes NO1, NO2, and NO3are not labeled.

An inverter INV 110 is formed by a PMOS transistor P10 and an NMOStransistor N10. A source of PMOS transistor P10 receives supply voltageVDD. A drain of PMOS transistor P10 is coupled with a drain of NMOStransistor N10, and provides a voltage VOIVN, which is a logical inverseof voltage VIN. Inverter INV 110 functions in the VDD domain becauseboth input voltage VIN and output voltage VOINV switch between 0 V andvoltage VDD. Inverter INV 110 is used for illustration. Other circuitsproviding voltage VOINV in the VDD domain are within the scope ofvarious embodiments.

A capacitor C1 provides a capacitive coupling of voltage VOINV and avoltage VLI1 on a node NLI1 (not labeled). For example, capacitor C1receives voltage VOIVN switching between 0 V and VDD. Based onoperations of capacitor C1, voltage VDD at a source of PMOS transistorP10, and voltage VDDH at a source of PMOS transistor P20, capacitor C1generates voltage VLI1 switching between voltage VDD and voltage VDDH.In some embodiments, a value of capacitor C1 is selected to be muchgreater than capacitance seen at node NLI1. For example, a value ofcapacitor C1 is about ten times a value of the capacitance seen at nodeNLI1.

A capacitor C2 provides a capacitive coupling of voltage VOINV and avoltage VLI2 on a node NLI2 (not labeled). For example, capacitor C2receives voltage VOIVN switching between 0 V and VDD. Based onoperations of capacitor C2, voltage VDD at the source of PMOS transistorP10, and 0 V at a source of NMOS transistor N20, capacitor C2 generatesvoltage VLI2 switching between 0 V and VDD. In some embodiments, a valueof capacitor C2 is selected to be much greater than a capacitance seenat the source of transistor N30. For example, a value of capacitor C2 isabout ten times a value of the capacitance seen at the source oftransistor N30.

A driver circuit DRVR 130 includes a first latch LTCH 115, a protectioncircuit 120, and a second latch LTCH 125. With reference to first latchLTCH 115, sources of transistors P20 and P30 receive voltage VDDH. Adrain of transistor P20 is coupled with a gate of transistor P30, andfunctions as node NLI1 and node NO3 having voltage VO3. A drain oftransistor P30 is coupled with a gate of transistor P20. By operationsof latch LTCH 115, when transistor P20 is on, transistor P30 is off, andvice versa. For example, when voltage VLI1, which is also voltage VO3,is at voltage VDD, voltage VGSP30 is at VDD−VDDH, and transistor P30 isturned on. As a result, the drain of transistor P30 is pulled to voltageVDDH at the source of transistor P30. The gate of transistor P20 coupledwith the drain of transistor P30 is therefore also at voltage VDDH. As aresult, voltage VGSP20 is at VDDH−VDDH or 0 V. Transistor P20 istherefore off. Similarly, when the source of transistor P30 is atvoltage VDD, for example, transistor P20 is on, and transistor P30 isoff in a manner similar to transistor P30 being on and transistor P20being off.

With reference to second latch LTCH 125, sources of transistors N20 andN30 receive reference supply voltage VSS (not labeled) or ground. Adrain of transistor N20 is coupled with a gate of transistor N30, andfunctions as node NLI2 and node NO1 having a voltage VO1. A drain oftransistor N30 is coupled with a gate of transistor N20. By operationsof latch LTCH 125, when transistor N20 is on, transistor N30 is off, andvice versa. For example, when voltage VLI2 is at voltage VDD, voltageVO1 is also at voltage VDD. Voltage VGSN30 is therefore at voltage VDD,and transistor N30 is turned on. As a result, the drain of transistorN30 is pulled to 0 V at the source of transistor N30. The gate oftransistor N20 coupled with the drain of transistor N30 is thereforealso 0 V. As a result, voltage VGSN20 is 0 V. Transistor N20 istherefore off. Similarly, when a drain of transistor N30 is at voltageVDD, transistor N20 is on, and transistor N30 is off in a similar manneras transistor N30 being on and transistor N20 being off.

In some embodiments, when voltage VLI2 is at voltage VDD, voltage VLI2continues to be substantially at voltage VDD even if node NLI2 iselectrically disconnected from capacitor C2, such as in a direct current(DC) situation. For example, even when transistors P40 and N40 are off,there is a leakage current through transistors P40 and N40. In such asituation, voltage VDDH at the source of transistor P20, resistors oftransistors P20, P40, N40, and N20 function as a voltage divider to keepvoltage VLI2 substantially at voltage VDD.

Protection circuit PRO 120 includes PMOS transistors P40, P50 and NMOStransistors N40, N50. Gates of transistors P40, P50, N40, and N50 arecoupled together, and receive a voltage Vbias. Based on voltage Vbias,voltage VLI1, and voltage VLI2, transistors P40 and N40 are turned onand off such that each of voltage VSDP20 and voltage VDSN20 does notexceed a corresponding maximum predetermined voltage value. As a result,transistors P20 and N20 are protected from an electrical breakdown. Forexample, without protection circuit PRO 120, when voltage VSDP20 reachesbeyond a maximum allowable voltage, transistor P20 is damaged.Similarly, when voltage VDSN20 reaches beyond a maximum allowablevoltage value, transistor N20 is damaged. Further, based on voltageVbias, voltage VO3, and voltage VO1, transistors P50 and N50 are turnedon and off such that each of voltage VSDP30 and voltage VDSN30 does notexceed a corresponding predetermined maximum voltage value. As a result,transistors P30 and N30 are protected from an electrical breakdown.

In some embodiments, a minimum value of voltage Vbias is determined tobe VDSN20+VGSN40, and a maximum value of voltage Vbias is determined tobe VHHD−VSDP20−VGSP40. Further, simulation is performed within theminimum value and the maximum value of voltage Vbias to select a valuefor voltage Vbias such that transistors P20, N20, P30 and N30 do notbreakdown. In some embodiments, voltage Vbias is set at VDD or ½ VDDH.

When at least one of transistors P40 and N40 is off, PMOS transistor P20is electrically disconnected from NMOS transistor N20. Effectively, PMOStransistor P20 is electrically disconnected from voltage VSS at thesource of transistor N20. Because the source of transistor P20 is VDDH,and the minimum value of voltage VLI1 is voltage VDD, voltage VSDP20 isat most VDDH−VDD, which, in some embodiments, is less than a maximumvalue predetermined for voltage VSDP20. As a result, transistor P20 isprotected. Similarly, NMOS transistor N20 is electrically disconnectedfrom high voltage VDDH at the source of PMOS transistor P20. Because themaximum value of voltage VLI2 at the drain of transistor N20 is voltageVDD, and the source of transistor N20 is 0 V, voltage VDSN20 is at mostVDD, which, in some embodiments, is less than a maximum valuepredetermined for voltage VDSN20. As a result, transistor N20 isprotected.

In contrast, when both transistors P40 and N40 are turned on,

VSDP20=VDDH−(VSDP40+VDSN40+VDSN20), and

VDSN20=VDDH−(VSDP20+VSDP40+VDSN40)

In some embodiments, transistors P40 and N40 are selected such thatVDDH−(VSDP40+VDSN40+VDSN20) is less than the maximum value predeterminedfor voltage VSDP20 and VDDH−(VSDP20+VSDP40+VDSN40) is less than themaximum value predetermined for voltage VDSN20. As a result, bothtransistors P20 and N20 are protected.

Circuit PRO 120 is used for illustration. Other circuits functioning toprotect transistors P20 and N20 are within the scope of variousembodiments. For example, in some embodiments, one or a plurality ofdiodes connected in series is used in place of transistors P40 and N40.Based on a predetermined maximum value for voltage VSDP20, apredetermined maximum value for voltage VDSN20, the voltage drop acrosseach diode, a number of diodes is selected to protect transistors P20and N20. In other words, the number of diodes is selected such thatvoltage VSDP20 and voltage VDSN20 are each less than a correspondingmaximum predetermined voltage value. In some embodiments, a transistorconfigured as a diode is used in place of a diode. In some embodiments,one or a plurality of diodes connected in series is also used in placeof transistors P50 and N50 to protect transistors P30 and N30 in amanner similar to protecting transistors P20 and N20.

In some embodiments, transistors P30, P50, N50, and N30 are configuredsuch that both transistors P30 and P50 are on or off at the same time.For example, when voltage VLI1 at the gate of transistor P30 is atvoltage VDD, transistor P30 is on. As a result, the drain of transistorP30 coupled with the source of transistor P50 are at voltage VDDH at thesource of transistor P30. As a result, voltage VGSP50 is VDD−VDDH, andtransistor P50 is on. Effectively, both transistors P30 and P50 are onat the same time. In contrast, when voltage VLI1 is at voltage VDDH,transistor P30 is off, and causes transistor P50 to function as an opencircuit or to be turned off. Effectively, both transistors P30 and P50are off at the same time.

Similarly, in some embodiments, both transistors N50 and N30 are on oroff at the same time. For example, when voltage VLI2 is at voltage VDD,transistor N30 is turned on. The drain of transistor N30 coupled withthe source of transistor N50 is at 0 V at the source of transistor N30.Further, voltage VGSN50 is VDD, and transistor N50 is therefore on.Effectively, both transistors N50 and N30 are on at the same time. Incontrast, when voltage VLI2 is 0 V, transistor N30 is turned off, andcauses transistor N50 to function as an open circuit or to be turnedoff. Effectively, both transistors N50 and N30 are off at the same time.

Further, when PMOS transistors P30 and P50 are on, NMOS transistors N50and N30 are off, and vice versa. For example, when voltage VLI1 is atvoltage VDD, voltage VLI2 is at 0 V. Because voltage VLI1 is at voltageVDD, transistor P30 is on. Because transistor P30 is on, transistor P50is also on as explained above. In contrast, because voltage VLI2 is at 0V, transistor N30 is off. Because transistor N30 is off, transistor N50is also off as explained above. Effectively, when both transistors P30and P50 are on, both transistors N50 and N30 are off. In contrast, whenvoltage VLI1 is at voltage VDDH, voltage VLI2 is at voltage VDD. Becausevoltage VLI1 is at voltage VDDH, transistor P30 is off. Becausetransistor P30 is off, transistor P50 is also off as explained above. Incontrast, because voltage VLI2 is at voltage VDD, transistor N30 is on.Because transistor N30 is on, transistor N50 is also on as explainedabove. Effectively, when both transistors P30 and P50 are off, bothtransistors N50 and N30 are on.

When PMOS transistors P30 and P50 are on and NMOS transistors N50 andN30 are off, by operations of PMOS transistors P30 and P50, voltage VO2is substantially the same as voltage VDDH at the source of PMOStransistor P30. In contrast, when NMOS transistors N30 and N50 are onand PMOS transistors P50 and P30 are off, by operations of NMOStransistors N50 and N30, voltage VO2 is substantially the same asvoltage VSS or ground at the source of NMOS transistor N30. Effectively,voltage VO2 switches between voltage VDDH at the source of PMOStransistor P30 and 0 V at the source of NMOS transistor N30.

Applications of Circuit 100

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a circuit 200, in accordance with someembodiments. Circuit 200 uses circuit 100 in FIG. 1 to drive a postdriver circuit PDRVR 220. For simplicity, various details of circuit 100are not labeled.

In the context of circuit 200, driver DRVR 130 of circuit 100 is calleda pre-driver. Post driver PDRVR 220 is driven by pre-driver DRVR 130 ofcircuit 100.

Post driver PDRVR 220 includes a PMOS transistor P230, a PMOS transistorP250, an NMOS transistor N250, and an NMOS transistor N230, whichcorrespond to PMOS transistor P30, PMOS transistor P50, NMOS transistorN50, and NMOS transistor N30 of FIG. 1, respectively. For example, asource of transistor P230 receives voltage VDDH. A gate of transistorP230 receives voltage VO3 of circuit 100. A drain of transistor P230 iscoupled with a source of transistor P250. A gate of transistor P250 iscoupled with a gate of transistor N250, and receives a bias voltageVbias20. A drain of transistor P250 is coupled with a drain oftransistor N250, and provides an output voltage VO20 for circuit 200. Asource of transistor N250 is coupled with a drain of transistor N230. Agate of transistor N230 receives voltage VO1 of circuit 100. A source oftransistor N230 receives voltage VSS or ground. In some embodiments,voltage Vbias20 is set to VDD or ½ VHHD.

In some embodiments, sizes of transistors in post driver PDRVR 220 arelarger than sizes of transistors in driver DRVR 130, and are selectedbased on a load of circuit 200 that is coupled with a node NO20 (notlabeled) having voltage VO20. Other sizes of post driver PDRVR 220 arewithin the scope of various embodiments.

Similar to transistors P30, P50, N50, and N30 in circuit 100,transistors P250 and N250 are to protect transistors P230 and N230 froman electrical breakdown. Transistors P250 and N250 are thus form aprotection circuit. In some embodiments, both PMOS transistors P230 andP250 are on or off at the same time, and both transistors NMOS N250 andN230 are on or off at the same time. Additionally, when PMOS transistorsP230 and P250 are on, NMOS transistors N250 and N230 are off, and viceversa. Effectively, voltage VO20 switches between 0 V and voltage VDDHin the same manner as voltage VO2 of circuit 100 switching between 0 Vand voltage VDDH.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a circuit 300, in accordance with someembodiments. Circuit 300 includes a predetermined number N ofpre-drivers 330-1 to 330-N. For simplicity, each of pre-driver DRVR330-1 to DRVR 330-N is called a pre-driver DRVR 330. Compared withcircuit 200, circuit 300 includes more than one pre-driver DRVR 330while circuit 200 includes one pre-driver 130.

For simplicity, various circuit elements of inverter INV 110, of eachpre-driver DRVR 330, and of post driver PDRVR 220 are not labeled.

Each pre-driver DRVR 330 drives another pre-driver DRVR 330 or drivespost driver PDRVR 220. For example, pre-driver DRVR 330-1 drivespre-driver DRVR 330-2, pre-driver DRVR 330-2 drives pre-driver DRVR330-3, pre-driver DRVR 330-3 drives pre-driver DRVR 330-4, etc., andpre-driver DRVR 330-N drives post driver PDRVR 220.

In some embodiments, node NO3 having voltage VO3 of a first pre-driverDRVR 330 is coupled with node NIL1 having voltage VIL1 of a secondpre-driver DRVR 330 that is driven by the first pre-driver DRVR 330. Forexample, node NO3 of pre-driver 330-1 is coupled with node NIL1 ofpre-driver 330-2, node NO3 of pre-driver 330-2 is coupled with node NIL1of pre-driver DRVR 330-3, etc. Node NO3 of pre-driver 330-N is coupledwith the gate of PMOS transistor P230 of post driver PDRVR 220.Similarly, node NO1 of pre-driver 330-1 is coupled with node NIL2 ofpre-driver 330-2, node NO1 of pre-driver 330-2 is coupled with node NIL2of pre-driver DRVR 330-3, etc. Node NO1 of pre-driver 330-N is coupledwith the gate of NMOS transistor N230 of post driver PDRVR 220.

Each pre-driver DRVR 330 includes circuit elements corresponding to andbeing configured in the same manner as circuit elements in pre-driverDRVR 130 of FIG. 1. For example, each pre-driver DRVR 330 includes PMOStransistors corresponding to and being configured in the same manner asPMOS transistors P20, P30, P40, and P50 in FIG. 1. Each pre-driver DRVR330 also includes NMOS transistors corresponding to and being configuredin the same manner as NMOS transistors N20, N30, N40, and N50. In someembodiments, not all pre-drivers DRVR 330-1 to DRVR 330-N have the sameconfiguration.

In some embodiments, sizes of transistors in a first pre-driver DRVR 330are smaller than sizes of corresponding transistors in a secondpre-driver DRVR 330 that is driven by the first pre-driver DRVR 330. Insome embodiments, sizes of transistors in the second pre-driver DRVR 330are about twice the sizes of corresponding transistors in the firstpre-driver. For example, sizes of transistors in pre-driver DRVR 330-2are twice the sizes of corresponding transistors in pre-driver DRVR330-1, sizes of transistors in pre-driver DRVR 330-3 are twice the sizesof corresponding transistors in pre-driver DRVR 330-2, sizes oftransistors in pre-driver DRVR 330-3 are twice the sizes ofcorresponding transistors in pre-driver DRVR 330-2, etc.

In some embodiments, sizes of transistors in post driver PDRVR 220 arelarger than sizes of pre-driver 330-N, and are selected based on a loadof circuit 300 that is coupled with a node NO30 (not labeled) havingvoltage VO30. Other sizes of post driver PDRVR 220 are within the scopeof various embodiments.

In various embodiments of the present disclosure, each pre-driver 330provides an additional driving strength to circuit 300. As a result,circuit 300 having more pre-drivers DRVR 330 has a stronger drivingstrength than another circuit 300 having less pre-drivers DRVR 330.Various embodiments of the present disclosure are advantageous overother approaches because each pre-driver 330 has no or insignificantstatic current. As a result, as additional pre-drivers 330 are added tocircuit 300, no or insignificant static current results in circuit 300.In contrast, pre-drivers in other approaches have a significant staticcurrent. As a result, in the other approaches, the plurality ofpre-drivers corresponding to pre-drivers DRVR 330 causes a significantstatic current to the total power consumption of the circuit. Further,compared with the embodiments of the present application, because thepre-drivers according to the other approaches have more significantstatic current, the number of pre-drivers added in a circuit is morelimited.

In some embodiments, a circuit comprises a first capacitive device and afirst latch. The first capacitive device includes a first end configuredto receive a first input signal and a second end coupled with the firstlatch. The first latch includes a first transistor and a secondtransistor that are of a first type. A first terminal of the firsttransistor and a first terminal of the second transistor are eachconfigured to receive a first voltage value. A second terminal of thefirst transistor is coupled with a third terminal of the secondtransistor. A third terminal of the first transistor is coupled with asecond terminal of the second transistor and with the second end of thecapacitive device, and is configured to provide an output voltage forthe first latch.

In some embodiments, a circuit comprises a first capacitive device, asecond capacitive device, at least one pre-driver circuit, and a postdriver circuit. The first capacitive device is configured to receive aninput signal and to generate a first capacitive output signal. The firstinput signal swings between a first voltage level and a second voltagelevel higher than the first voltage level. The first capacitive outputsignal swings between a third voltage level and a fourth voltage level.The third voltage level is substantially the same as the second voltagelevel, and the fourth voltage level is higher than the third voltagelevel. The second capacitive device is configured to receive the inputsignal and to generate a second capacitive output signal. The secondcapacitive output signal swings between a fifth voltage level and asixth voltage level. The fifth voltage level is substantially the sameas the first voltage level, and the sixth voltage level is substantiallythe same as the second voltage level. The at least one pre-drivercircuit is configured to receive the first capacitive output signal andto generate a first pre-driver output signal. The first pre-driveroutput signal swings between a seventh voltage level and an eighthvoltage level. The seventh voltage level is substantially the same asthe third voltage level, and the eighth voltage level is substantiallythe same as the fourth voltage level. The at least one pre-drivercircuit is configured to receive the second capacitive output signal andto generate a second pre-driver output signal. The second pre-driveroutput signal swings between a ninth voltage level and a tenth voltagelevel. The ninth voltage level is substantially the same as the firstvoltage level and the tenth voltage level is substantially the same asthe second voltage level. The post driver circuit is configured toreceive the first pre-driver output signal and the second pre-driveroutput signal, and to generate a post-driver output signal. Thepost-driver output signal swings between an eleventh voltage level and atwelfth voltage level. The eleventh voltage level is substantially thesame as the first voltage level and the twelfth voltage level issubstantially the same as the sixth voltage level.

In some embodiments, a circuit comprises a first latch having a firsttransistor of a first type and a second transistor of the first type, asecond latch having a first transistor of a second type and a secondtransistor of the second type, and a first circuit. A first terminal ofthe first-type first transistor and a first terminal of the first-typesecond transistor are each configured to receive a first voltage value.A second terminal of the first-type first transistor is coupled with athird terminal of the first-type second transistor and with a secondterminal of the first circuit. A third terminal of the first-type firsttransistor is coupled with a first terminal of the first circuit andwith a second terminal of the first-type second transistor, and isconfigured to generate an output voltage for the first latch. A firstterminal of the second-type first transistor and a first terminal of thesecond-type second transistor are each configured to receive a secondvoltage value. A second terminal of the second-type first transistor iscoupled with a third terminal of the second-type second transistor andwith a fourth terminal of the first circuit. A third terminal of thesecond-type first transistor is coupled with a third terminal of thefirst circuit and with a second terminal of the second-type secondtransistor, and is configured to generate an output voltage for thesecond latch.

A number of embodiments have been described. It will nevertheless beunderstood that various modifications may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, various transistorsbeing shown as a particular dopant type (e.g., N-type or P-type MetalOxide Semiconductor (NMOS or PMOS)) are for illustration purposes.Embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to a particular type.Selecting different dopant types for a particular transistor is withinthe scope of various embodiments. A low or high logical value of varioussignals used in the above description is also for illustration. Variousembodiments are not limited to a particular logical value when a signalis activated and/or deactivated. Selecting different logical values iswithin the scope of various embodiments. In various embodiments, atransistor functions as a switch. A switching circuit used in place of atransistor is within the scope of various embodiments. In variousembodiments, a source of a transistor can be configured as a drain, anda drain can be configured as a source. Various figures show discretecapacitors for illustration. Equivalent circuitry may be used. Forexample, a capacitive device, circuitry or network (e.g., a combinationof capacitors, capacitive devices, circuitry, etc.) can be used in placeof the capacitor.

The above illustrations include exemplary steps, but the steps are notnecessarily performed in the order shown. Steps may be added, replaced,changed order, and/or eliminated as appropriate, in accordance with thespirit and scope of disclosed embodiments.

1. A circuit comprising: a first capacitive device; a first latch; asecond capacitive device; a second latch; and a first circuit, whereinthe first capacitive device includes a first end and a second end; thefirst end is configured to receive a first input signal; the first latchincludes a first transistor and a second transistor; the firsttransistor and the second transistor are of a first type; a firstterminal of the first transistor and a first terminal of the secondtransistor are configured to receive a first voltage value; a secondterminal of the first transistor is coupled with a third terminal of thesecond transistor; a third terminal of the first transistor is coupledwith a second terminal of the second transistor and with the second endof the capacitive device, and is configured to provide an output voltagefor the first latch; the second capacitive device includes a first endand a second end; the first end of the second capacitive device isconfigured to receive the first input signal; the second latch includesa third transistor and a fourth transistor; the third transistor and thefourth transistor are of a second type different from the first type;the second end of the second capacitive device is coupled with thesecond latch; and the first circuit is coupled between the second end ofthe first capacitive device and the second end of the second capacitivedevice.
 2. The circuit of claim 1, wherein the first type is a P-type;the first input signal swings between a second voltage value and a thirdvoltage value; and the third voltage value is higher than the secondvoltage value and is lower than the first voltage value.
 3. The circuitof claim 2, wherein based on the first input signal, the firstcapacitive device is configured to generate a second input signal at thesecond end of the first capacitive device; and the second input signalswings between the third voltage value and the first voltage value. 4.The circuit of claim 1, wherein the first type is an N-type; the firstinput signal swings between a second voltage value and a third voltagevalue; the second voltage value is substantially equal to the firstvoltage value; and the third voltage value is higher than the secondvoltage value.
 5. The circuit of claim 4, wherein based on the firstinput signal, the first capacitive device is configured to generate asecond input signal at the second end of the first capacitive device;and the second input signal swings between the second voltage value andthe third voltage value.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The circuit of claim 1,wherein a first terminal of the third transistor and a first terminal ofthe fourth transistor are configured to receive a second voltage valuedifferent from the first voltage value; a second terminal of the thirdtransistor is coupled with a third terminal of the fourth transistor;and a third terminal of the third transistor is coupled with a secondterminal of the fourth transistor and with the second end of the secondcapacitive device, and is configured to provide an output voltage forthe second latch.
 8. The circuit of claim 7, wherein the first type isP-type; the second type is N-type; the first input signal swings betweenthe second voltage value and a third voltage value; and the thirdvoltage value is higher than the second voltage value and is lower thanthe first voltage value.
 9. The circuit of claim 7, wherein the firstinput signal swings between the second voltage value and a third voltagevalue: based on the first input signal, the second capacitive device isconfigured to generate a third input signal at the second end of thesecond capacitive device; and the third input signal swings between thesecond voltage value and the third voltage value.
 10. The circuit ofclaim 7, wherein the first circuit include a fifth transistor, a sixthtransistor, a seventh transistor, and an eighth transistor; a firstterminal of the fifth transistor is coupled with the second end of thefirst capacitive device; a second terminal of the fifth transistor, ofthe sixth transistor, of the seventh transistor, and of the eighthtransistor are each configured to receive a bias voltage; a thirdterminal of the fifth transistor is coupled with a third terminal of theseventh transistor; a first terminal of the sixth transistor is coupledwith the third terminal of the second transistor; a third terminal ofthe sixth transistor is coupled with a third terminal of the eighthtransistor, and is configured to provide an output voltage for the firstcircuit; a first terminal of the seventh transistor is coupled with thesecond end of the second capacitive device; and a first terminal of theeighth transistor is coupled with the third terminal of the fourthtransistor.
 11. The circuit of claim 7, wherein the first circuitincludes at least one first diode and at least one second diode; the atleast one first diode is coupled between the second end of the firstcapacitive device and the second end of the second capacitive device;and the at least one second diode is coupled between the third terminalof the second transistor and the third terminal of the fourthtransistor.
 12. The circuit of claim 7 further comprising a secondcircuit, wherein the second circuit comprises a fifth transistor, asixth transistor, a seventh transistor, and an eighth transistor; afirst terminal of the fifth transistor is configured to receive thefirst voltage value; a second terminal of the fifth transistor isconfigured to receive the output voltage of the first latch; a thirdterminal of the fifth transistor is coupled with a first terminal of thesixth transistor; a second terminal of the fifth transistor and of thesixth transistor are each configured to receive a second bias voltage; athird terminal of the sixth transistor and of the seventh transistor arecoupled together, and are configured to provide an output voltage forthe third circuit; a first terminal of the seventh transistor is coupledwith a third terminal of the eighth transistor; a first terminal of theeighth transistor is configured to receive the second voltage value; anda second terminal of the eighth transistor is configured to receive theoutput voltage of the second latch.
 13. A circuit comprising: a firstcapacitive device; a second capacitive device; at least one pre-drivercircuit; and a post driver circuit, wherein the first capacitive deviceis configured to receive an input signal and to generate a firstcapacitive output signal, wherein the first input signal swings betweena first voltage level and a second voltage level higher than the firstvoltage level, the first capacitive output signal swings between a thirdvoltage level and a fourth voltage level, the third voltage level ishigher than the first voltage level, and the fourth voltage level ishigher than the third voltage level; the second capacitive device isconfigured to receive the input signal and to generate a secondcapacitive output signal, wherein the second capacitive output signalswings between a fifth voltage level and a sixth voltage level, thefifth voltage level is substantially the same as the first voltagelevel, and the sixth voltage level is higher than the fifth voltagelevel; the at least one pre-driver circuit is configured to receive thefirst capacitive output signal and to generate a first pre-driver outputsignal, wherein the first pre-driver output signal swings between aseventh voltage level and an eighth voltage level, the seventh voltagelevel is substantially the same as the third voltage level and theeighth voltage level is substantially the same as the fourth voltagelevel; the at least one pre-driver circuit is configured to receive thesecond capacitive output signal and to generate a second pre-driveroutput signal, wherein the second pre-driver output signal swingsbetween a ninth voltage level and a tenth voltage level, the ninthvoltage level is substantially the same as the fifth voltage level andthe tenth voltage level is substantially the same as the sixth voltagelevel; the post driver circuit is configured to receive the firstpre-driver output signal and the second pre-driver output signal, and togenerate a post-driver output signal, wherein the post-driver outputsignal swings between an eleventh voltage level and a twelfth voltagelevel, the eleventh voltage level is substantially the same as the firstvoltage level and the twelfth voltage level is substantially the same asthe fourth voltage level; a pre-driver circuit of the at least onepre-driver circuit includes a first latch, a first circuit, and a secondlatch; and the first circuit is coupled between the first latch and thesecond latch.
 14. The circuit of claim 13, wherein if the at least onepre-driver circuit has more than one pre-driver circuit, sizes oftransistors in a first pre-driver circuit are smaller than sizes oftransistors in a second pre-driver circuit; and the first pre-drivercircuit drives the second pre-driver circuit.
 15. (canceled)
 16. Thecircuit of claim 13, wherein the first latch has a first transistor of afirst type and a second transistor of the first type; the second latchhas a first transistor of a second type and a second transistor of thesecond type; a first terminal of the first-type first transistor and afirst terminal of the first-type second transistor are each configuredto receive a first supply voltage value; a second terminal of thefirst-type first transistor is coupled with a third terminal of thefirst-type second transistor, and with a second terminal of the firstcircuit; a third terminal of the first-type first transistor is coupledwith a first terminal of the first circuit, and with a second terminalof the first-type second transistor, and is configured to generate anoutput voltage for the first latch; a first terminal of the second-typefirst transistor and a first terminal of the second-type secondtransistor are each configured to receive a second supply voltage value;a second terminal of the second-type first transistor is coupled with athird terminal of the second-type second transistor, and with a fourthterminal of the first circuit; and a third terminal of the second-typefirst transistor is coupled with a third terminal of the first circuitand with a second terminal of the second-type second transistor, and isconfigured to generate an output voltage for the second latch.
 17. Acircuit comprising: a first latch having a first transistor of a firsttype and a second transistor of the first type; a second latch having afirst transistor of a second type and a second transistor of the secondtype; and a first circuit, wherein a first terminal of the first-typefirst transistor and a first terminal of the first-type secondtransistor are each configured to receive a first voltage value; asecond terminal of the first-type first transistor is coupled with athird terminal of the first-type second transistor, and with a secondterminal of the first circuit; a third terminal of the first-type firsttransistor is coupled with a first terminal of the first circuit, andwith a second terminal of the first-type second transistor, and isconfigured to generate an output voltage for the first latch; a firstterminal of the second-type first transistor and a first terminal of thesecond-type second transistor are each configured to receive a secondvoltage value; a second terminal of the second-type first transistor iscoupled with a third terminal of the second-type second transistor, andwith a fourth terminal of the first circuit; and a third terminal of thesecond-type first transistor is coupled with a third terminal of thefirst circuit and with a second terminal of the second-type secondtransistor, and is configured to generate an output voltage for thesecond latch.
 18. The circuit of claim 17 further comprising a firstcapacitive device and a second capacitive device, wherein the firstcapacitive device is coupled with the first terminal of the firstcircuit; and the second capacitive device is coupled with the secondterminal of the first circuit.
 19. The circuit of claim 18, furthercomprising a third transistor of the first type, a fourth transistor ofthe first type, a third transistor of the second type, and a fourthtransistor of the second type, wherein a first terminal of thefirst-type third transistor is configured to receive the first voltagevalue; a second terminal of the first-type third transistor isconfigured to receive the output voltage of the first latch; a thirdterminal of the first-type third transistor is coupled with a firstterminal of the first-type fourth transistor; a second terminal of thefirst-type fourth transistor and a second terminal of the second-typefourth transistor are each configured to receive a bias voltage; a thirdterminal of the first-type fourth transistor is coupled with a thirdterminal of the second-type fourth transistor; a first terminal of thesecond-type fourth transistor is coupled with a third terminal of thesecond-type third transistor; a first terminal of the second-type thirdtransistor is configured to receive the second voltage value; and asecond terminal of the second-type third transistor is configured toreceive the output voltage of the second latch.
 20. The circuit of claim17, wherein the first capacitive device and the second capacitive deviceare each configured to receive an input signal; the input signal swingsbetween a third voltage value and a fourth voltage value higher than thethird voltage value; the first voltage value is higher than the fourthvoltage value; and the second voltage value is substantially the same asthe third voltage value.
 21. The circuit of claim 13, wherein the postdriver comprises: a transistor of the first type, a gate of thetransistor of the first type being configured to receive the firstpre-driver output signal; and a transistor of the second type, a gate ofthe transistor of the second type being configured to receive the secondpre-driver output signal.
 22. The circuit of claim 21, wherein the gateof the transistor of the first type of the post driver is electricallycoupled to a node of the first capacitive device, the node of the firstcapacitive device being configured to carry the first capacitive outputsignal; and the gate of the transistor of the second type of the postdriver is electrically couple to a node of the second capacitive device,the node of the second capacitive device being configured to carry thesecond capacitive output signal.